What happened to V4L?

[frosting]

Vapor 4 Life. I use to see them recommended ALL THE TIME. I know I'm not around as much and feel like I missed a memo. Did something change with their company? I see volt coming up a lot lately and a couple others but never V4L as of late. Are they just getting forgotten? I'm just curious really.

 

[yzer]

I get my favorite juices from V4L. Just bought the last order last week. vaping it right now.

 

[Doomed!]

There are just far better options now at a lower cost. Nothing wrong with the company, they just sell an outdated product.

 

[yzer]

V4L juices are far from outdated. V4L hardware... meh.

 

[frosting]

I did check up on their prices. The batteries... woo ya, pretty expensive compared to some others. The juice seemed like a damn good deal though.

 

[Mr.Mann]

I was very ready to love V4L and I ordered a big quantity from them a while ago. That was the first order I ever made where I abhorred every single juice I tried, which was probably about 10. I kept most of it around for a couple weeks until the whole lot ended up being discarded. I think they are great as an introductory site, but for me, there is no way I could survive off their flavors, not even in a pinch! But then again, I have heard people talk negatively about almost every vendor...so, there is no accounting for taste, I guess.

 

[the_vape_nerd]

I was very ready to love V4L and I ordered a big quantity from them a while ago. That was the first order I ever made where I abhorred every single juice I tried, which was probably about 10. I kept most of it around for a couple weeks until the whole lot ended up being discarded. I think they are great as an introductory site, but for me, there is no way I could survive off their flavors, not even in a pinch! But then again, I have heard people talk negatively about almost every vendor...so, there is no accounting for taste, I guess.

I started out with V4L and their juice taste at first was ok. Then I started ordering a few juices from the real juice vendors and the v4l juice tasted like well, quite fake.

In terms of the customer service, it's outstanding no doubt. They've made some effort over there now to get with the program on the fat batteries and offer a bit more selection in the hardware department. Really though, the volt and SI are taking away a huge market share, that is, the market for newbs who want an analog lookalike. SI offers cartos with a horizontal coil which I think, at least newbs will like for a more consistent carto. The vertical coils work ok, but the cartos I got from v4l the last time i was buying them, were very hit or miss. The quality standards were inconsistent.

The other problem I think people have with v4l is their outdated business model. Their shipping charges are extremely high especially if you just need to make a small order. You end up paying $7 for shipping. They also do this thing where they mark up their product and then offer like 25-35% off which varies from week to week. It was a lot like shopping at JC Penney (prior to their newer changes) in that you never really knew how much something costs until it was time to pay.

 

[JTman]

V4L was the 2nd vendor I ever tried. I don't recall hating the juices, but none of them were stand outs to me. I mix my own flavors these days and I have a preferred vendor for my cartos (Andrew @ Jooglerjuice is a great guy with great prices). I might pick up a vendor flavor here or there.

And their constant "XX% off blah blah" spam emails got old pretty quick. Just give a base-line good deal and quit with the near constant sales IMO.

 

[Lemeduit]

I was actually at the vape lounge today. I think the juices are just ok. But I brought someone in there to convert from analogs and she had a good experience. Better because I steered her to the ego rather than there skinny cig direction and because the cart selection is large. Most people who are making the switch don't need the extras. I just don't think that those here are necessarily their target market.

Also, the juice is reasonable.

 

[MartyWasHere]

Hi BHam,

Feel free to discuss V4L ticket #951185 with management.

That ticket refers to the missing $500 order from January.

V4L's final word on that - 3 months later - was:

"The order is not here and was sent. It is in the mail system and we have no control over it. This is our policy."

Since then I've been ignored.

Thanks

Cheers,
Marty

 

[the_vape_nerd]

A $500 order certainly should have been sent via insured mail. Either by the customer here, or v4l, or someone.

I've had nothing but stellar service from v4l. I agree with a previous poster in that v4l's target market is the people who are switching. The idea of having many many assorted pre-filled cartos is a good model for that market. People who really take to vaping though are going to go up the ladder though and quickly.

I bear v4l no ill will but offer the following as constructive criticism:

1. The shipping is just too high. Offer a 1st class mail option. If you've got a customer who wants to order 2 packs of cartos or a few bottles of juice. $7 is just too steep and they will look elsewhere.

2. The constant sales while it appeals to newbs or to folks who are nearly newbs, gets old. What happens is people start thinking in terms of what they got the item for last time. So it's time to order some juice, but hey, it's not on sale today. I'll wait. Waiting turns into aggravation which turns into people picking another vendor.

3. The website upgrade was a very good idea. Looks nice. Good job.

4. Don't run out of juices. You've got good prices and there's certainly a market for your juice. I don't personally care for it but many do. My wife was ordering all her juice from you guys, but in the end the fact that you were out of her favorite juice so often sent her to another vendor.

5. How about this idea. The 510 connection is where it's at. I know you guys are all over the 808 as analog look a like, but there's almost no vendor selling pre-filled 510 cartos. If you can do for the 510 what you already do for the 808 in terms of selection, I think you'll have a niche.

Good luck.

 

[NGIB]

Here's a business model. Offer a quality product at a reasonable price (shipping price as well) and folks will come to you - you will not have to beat them senseless with ads. I suspect that is the model used by most respected vendors here and it's one I respect. You asked for comments...

 

[MartyWasHere]

Yes, since this learning experience I take the insured option where its offered nowadays. It is the only time I have ever really lost anything in the mail and I'm a big user.

V4L shipping to Australia is $25 and I don't believe there is an insurance option available (well, I don't recall seeing one in the 12 or so orders I have placed there).

I have certainly not had stellar service. Not even close. I'd post my support ticket but I just cant be that horrid to someone, even if they gipped me for $500.

All of your other comments are spot on.

 

[the_vape_nerd]

Didn't realize you were in Australia. Seems like for international they ought to use UPS Fed Ex or someone other than USPS, but hey if it was your option not to insure the package, I don't know what can be done.

 

[MartyWasHere]

I don't think they have an insurance option for Australia - but I'm happy to be corrected on that as its possible I never noticed.

 

[MartyWasHere]

I think the point I'd prefer to make is that they were extremely unhelpful and strung me along for months.

But, I'd like to give BHam an opportunity to respond before unloading unnecessarily so I'll restrain myself for now.

 

[VapingRulz]

I was a V4L customer for nearly two years and I have nothing but good things to say about the company. I love their Wow juices and the fact that their 808D's are 3.7v but I've moved on to boutique-types of juices (primarily Virgin Vapor) and the KGO. I guess the shipping charges never bothered me because I usually placed large orders. One thing that DID bother me was the high rate of errors in my orders but they always took care of it so it was a non-issue. My experience has been that they have great customer service.

I always recommend both V4L and SI/Volt to newbies who are looking specifically for an 808 type of ecig.

 

[classwife]

This thread has gone off track.


Suppliers are not allowed to respond and discuss their business in General E-Smoking Discussion.


If you have a review of a company, there is a proper place for it.

Closing thread.